ON THE MAP

The same down-to-business attitude has applied to MAP’s recent inauguration of training seminars for record-company personnel. The program is being funded via a $2-million grant given the organization by the Recording Industry Assn. of America, which represents the six major record distribution groups.

In fact, Arnold says, demand for training has far exceeded original projections. Geffen Records, for example, was expected to send 30 people to a meeting scheduled for its distributor, MCA, on Tuesday. But the company submitted a list of 75 people interested in the program, and MAP is scheduling more sessions to handle the load.

MAP is also hosting a benefit concert on April 11 at Billboard Live, with Bikini Kill’s Kathleen Hanna, Everclear’s Art Alexakis, Steve Earle, Peter Case and John Doe scheduled to perform. A series of TV public service announcements are also in production, with No Doubt’s Gwen Stefani, Ringo Starr, rapper Chuck D. and Troy Nowell, the widow of Sublime leader Bradley Nowell, who died of an overdose last year, appearing.

“There’s been wonderful cooperation,” says Arnold. “There seems to be demand not only for rehabilitation and detox programs, but for real education. The people at the record companies aren’t faking this just for their image.”